On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, thank
you for your email.

 

As you will be aware, the Prime Minister announced a 4 level COVID-19
alert system for New Zealand. As a result, the Ministry of Business,
Innovation, and Employment has shifted to alternative ways of working.

 

Should your email be a request for Official Information this response
serves as your acknowledgement, and we will endeavour to respond to you as
soon as practicable.

 

Nga mihi, Ministerial Services

[1]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services

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Ref: 1920-1502

 

Dear Mike,

 

On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 18 April 2020 requesting under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following:

 

“The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced
the availability of the 6 GHz frequency band for unlicensed spectrum use.
The announcement heralds a milestone in the Wi-Fi era. Unlicensed
spectrum, where Wi-Fi operates, is one of society’s most valuable
resources. The Wi-Fi Alliance has already designated this as "Wi-Fi 6E"
and has advised that their members will begin shipping 6E-capable device
as soon as 2021. The FCC has designated several mechanisms to protect
incumbent license holders from interference from the new generation of
devices in the USA. What are the plans of MBIE and RSM with regards to
making the same spectrum available for unlicensed use in New Zealand?”

 

Your request is being processed in accordance with the Act and a response
will be sent to you in due course. If you have any enquiries regarding
your request feel free to contact us via email [1][MBIE request email] or
using the contact details below.

 

Kind regards,

 

Workflow Advisor

Engagement, Communications and Ministerial Services, Corporate Governance
and Information

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 |  P O Box 1473 Wellington 6140

[2]cid:image004.jpg@01D10666.447C6950

 

 

[3]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services

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Dear Mr Fox

 

We have no immediate plans around WiFi 6e  (i.e. WiFi @ 6GHz). Spectrum
above 5925 MHz is currently allocated for bidirectional fixed link use in
NZ. We also have C-band satellite uplink licensed across different parts
of the 6 GHz band.  Fixed and satellite services must coordinate on a
first-come-first-serve basis.

 

At this stage we don’t have a clear sense of whether the technical
mitigations proposed to allow 6e (low power indoor use and automated
frequency coordination (AFC)) will be sufficient to manage the
interference concerns of the incumbents.  In particular AFC is still
unproven technology in this scenario.  We are watching closely to see
whether a significant device eco-system is evolving and when the large
consumer nations (USA, China, Europe) move.  Once it becomes clear that 6e
is really going to happen elsewhere then we will likely run a domestic
consultation before making a decision.

 

Kind regards

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

 

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